Interview with Sisterhood of Hip Hop Star & Philly Femcee Lee Mazin
Five plus years in the game and South Philly native femcee, Lee Mazin, who is a pure delight on the current season of Oxygen’s Sisterhood of Hip Hop reality vehicle, has already made quite a name for herself in the rap game. With heavy cosigns from the likes of peers Remy Ma and Trina, and having graced the stage alongside such greats as MC Lyte, T.I., Jeezy and Meek Mill – who saw such star potential within Lee that he scooped her up before anyone else could beat him to the punch – at this particular point in time there’s absolutely nothing on the planet that can dim this woman’s (born Taliyah Smith) shine.
Here’s our conversation with the phenomenal artist on the rise…
Parlé Mag: Tell me about your whole inception into music, when did you first become interested in it? And, how did it all begin for Lee Mazin ? Lee Mazin : I always had a passion for music… 90’s R&B being my favorite. And, I was always good at writing stories, poems, etc. I put them both together, and after my freshman year of college my talents in rap kinda crept up on me! I was freestyling in front of a group of people outside of a bar, and someone recorded me and put it on Facebook… the rest was history!!
Parlé Mag: Now you were born in Philadelphia, PA, so growing up in ‘The City of Brotherly Love,’ who all did/do you consider to be your strongest musical influences?
Lee Mazin : State Prop in their prime!! Eve, Ms. Jade… to name a few from the city!! Outside the city, Missy, Pharrell, Lauryn Hill, DMX + more.
Parlé Mag: At what point in time, specifically, did you even opt to pursue music on a professional level?
Lee Mazin : Literally two weeks after I did my first cypher. I dropped outta school and everything to go all in!!
Parlé Mag: With that being said, how do you classify your overall sound and/or style?
Lee Mazin : Versatile and Raw!!
Parlé Mag: In having said that, when you sit down to pen your rhymes where do you draw your inspiration(s) from?
Lee Mazin : Whatever comes to mind. Could be what I’m going through at the moment, could be a story that I know lots of people can relate to, could be fun, could be deep, could be singing, could be rapping… it’s all about the moment!!
Parlé Mag: What particular string of events actually led to your initial linking up with Meek Mill and ultimately signing to his Dreamchasers imprint?
Lee Mazin : I knew Meek before the music, but we kept running into each other on the road. He respected my grind, and brought me out at Powerhouse to announce the link up!!
Parlé Mag: Have you encountered any problems in getting to this point in your career?
Lee Mazin : Of course!! But, no pain, no gain, right?!
Parlé Mag: What do you want people to get from your music?
Lee Mazin : Inspiration and motivation!! Fun and life!!
Parlé Mag: When can we, the masses, expect some more music from you? Like maybe perhaps your “official” full-length debut solo album?
Lee Mazin : Coming soon… gotta stay tuned!!
Parlé Mag: If you could collaborate with any one artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?
Lee Mazin : Missy Elliott!! One of the most creative human beings EVER!!
Parlé Mag: If you could play any venue in the world, which one would you choose and why?
Lee Mazin : Superdome!! Super big… I love huge crowds!!
Parlé Mag: One track of yours that you think defines you and why?
Lee Mazin : “Yesterday!!” All facts in that record.
Listen to “Yesterday” ft. Lil Snupe Below:
Parlé Mag: In terms of longevity, what do you feel it is that will continue to sustain you in this grueling industry?
Lee Mazin : Uniqueness and being myself!!
Parlé Mag: Do you have any other outside/additional future aspirations, maybe even completely away from music?
Lee Mazin : Success all around the board. Acting and modeling, as well as owning multiple businesses!!
Parlé Mag: You are, however, currently appearing on the 3rd season of Sisterhood Of Hip Hop, how did this venture even come about? And for someone unfamiliar, what exactly can be expected from your presence on the popular reality series?
Lee Mazin : Gotta random call one day!! Gotta tune in to see… I basically took over the show though!! *Laughs*
Parlé Mag: On a more serious note, are you happy with the current state of Hip Hop? And, even more specifically, women in rap or the lack thereof?
Lee Mazin : Not at all!! Oversaturated and the talent is overshadowed by a lot of B.S.!! Females coming up though. I love that!!
Parlé Mag: To date, what has been your biggest career moment, at least thus far anyway?
Lee Mazin : Being in front of twenty thousand people in my hometown!! At Powerhouse.
Parlé Mag: Looking ahead, say five or maybe even ten years from now, where do you see yourself?
Lee Mazin : Have my mom retired early!! Multiple businesses and records bringing money in!! Happiness and wealth!! Also, wanna travel the world!!
Parlé Mag: As for the immediate, what’s next for Lee Mazin ?
Lee Mazin : I have a lot of shows and events coming up + some more secrets I don’t like to speak on to much. I’d rather you just see!! So tune in.
Parlé Mag: Any “closing” thought(s) for our readers? Lee Mazin : I love all my fans and supporters!! Wouldn’t be nothing without them.
Veteran music journalist and indie publicist Todd Davis, who hails from the San Francisco Bay Area, and has contributed to a variety of national, regional, online, weekly and daily media outlets; including The Source, XXL & Billboard, to name a few, is happy to report that he has recently joined the Parlé Magazine family. Looking forward to many great things to come...
